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Brooke - Brainstorm Breakthrough!

Over these past weeks, I have been very busy contemplating what to do for my project. It’s one thing to be able to observe problems in our world and consider ways to solve them, but another to narrow down a list of possible solutions. First, you must ask yourself which of your brainstormed ideas are actually possible to create. Next, you must ask yourself which of your ideas peak your interest and get you excited about what you might be working to create, invent or improve. You must assess your resources, and align yourself with people who can guide you and inspire you along the way. Enter my wonderful 3M Scientist mentor, Dr. Del. She has facilitated my thought process with some probing questions, and has listened patiently to my ideas and given me insightful feedback on all that we discuss. One interesting revelation in my journey has been that questions bring forth more questions, in a cascade of creativity, until the path defines itself toward a possible solution. It was a hard decision to finally select one innovation concept; but, at last, with thought, research, and passion, I narrowed the field and made my choice.

Dr. Del has been incredibly influential in helping me as I go through the Young Scientist Challenge journey. It has been such an amazing experience so far, and I know that I can only learn more and have more fun! An important thing that I have learned from Dr. Del is that research is key. Ask many questions, seek many answers, and ask questions again. It’s not as crucial to reinvent the wheel as it is to be aware of things around you that can impact your ideas and spur on your imagination. Such contemplation, collaboration, and determination can lead to paths yet unforged.

“Research is what I’m doing when I don’t know what I’m doing.” –Wernher von Braun